Latest news with #transservicemembers
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
The Documentary Podcast Inside the US trans military ban
One of the first executive orders that President Donald Trump signed in his second term of office stated that being transgender is incompatible with the 'rigorous standards necessary for military service'. It set the stage for a ban on trans people serving in the military, regardless of ability, rank or service history. Official figures say there are 4,240 transgender service members in the US armed forces, however research commissioned by the US Defense Department in 2016 estimated there could be up to around 10,000. Over the past four months the BBC has been following the stories of two trans service people as the executive order took effect. Both have served 17 years in the military, and are now facing the threat of a dishonourable discharge. Archive sources: NBC News, FOX News, CBS News, CNN, Chicks on the Right, Newsmax, 9 News, WKYC, ABC News, US Army's School of Advanced Military Studies
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
New Pentagon memo reveals how military will screen for transgender troops to purge from service
The Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered military officials to 'immediately' review medical records for transgender service members to begin removing them from service. Service members will also be asked whether they experience gender dysphoria in their annual health exams, according to a newly released Pentagon memo. The memo from the Pentagon's acting head of personnel follows an order from a divided Supreme Court that allows Donald Trump 's administration to continue banning trans service members despite court rulings that found the measure plainly discriminatory. Routine exams will be 'the primary method' for identifying and removing trans service members — or 'service members who have a current diagnosis or history of' or are 'exhibiting symptoms' of gender dysphoria, according to the memo. Commanders who are 'aware' of service members 'with gender dysphoria, a history of gender dysphoria or symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria' must perform 'individualized medical record reviews,' the memo states. The president's January directive claims the 'adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life.' Subsequent Defense Department guidance claimed that 'the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service.' In February, Washington, D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes condemned the president's 'demeaning,' 'biologically inaccurate' and 'frankly ridiculous' language in an executive order that revoked federal recognition of trans, nonbinary and intersex people. Trump's ban on transgender people in the nation's military is 'soaked in animus,' she wrote. And in March, George W. Bush-appointed District Judge Benjamin Settle said Trump's transgender military policy 'plainly' discriminates and is not backed by any evidence to support the claims behind it. Roughly 4,200 people with gender dysphoria are serving across the U.S. military. About 1,000 trans troops have voluntarily identified themselves to begin their removal, according to military officials. Active-duty service members have until June 6 to identify themselves, and reserve members have until July 7. If they miss that deadline and face involuntary removal from service, they will receive fewer benefits, according to officials. The Supreme Court's ruling earlier this month pauses Judge Settle's order that blocked the ban while the legal challenges continue. But attorneys for 32 trans service members and recruits who are separately suing in Washington, D.C. argued that the Supreme Court's order is not binding in that court. They told a federal appeals court that 'recent statements by Secretary Hegseth underscore that the ban was motivated by anti-transgender animus, not by the medical considerations advanced by the government,' after Hegseth said the military is 'leaving wokeness and weakness behind,' including 'dudes in dresses.' 'The American people are sick of cowardly doublespeak coming out of this administration,' attorneys said in a statement. 'Secretary Hegseth's comments about transgender troops are a disgrace to the military and all those who serve.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pentagon stopping gender transition treatment for transgender troops
The Pentagon is ending gender transition treatment for transgender troops, according to a new memo, as officials move to enforce President Donald Trump's plan to boot transgender troops out of the U.S. military. Under the instructions, the Defense Department is prohibiting any new hormone treatments or surgical procedures for transgender troops, according to the memo, Reuters reported. "I am directing you to take the necessary steps to immediately implement this guidance," Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Stephen Ferrara wrote in the memo. Hegseth Orders Deadline For Trans Service Members To Leave Military: 'Out At The Dod' One transgender service member described the move as "the latest slap in the face" to honorably serving troops. "If there was any doubt left, there is not anymore: transgender service members are no longer entitled to the same standard of medical care as their peers," the service member told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Read On The Fox News App Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his opposition to gender transition treatment for transgender troops when he re-posted an article on X that said the Pentagon would resume treatments for transgender troops and their dependents. Bipartisan Bill Would Make It Easier For Military Recruits With Medical Issues To Land Defense Jobs "If this is true - we will find any way possible to stop it," Hegseth wrote. "Taxpayers should NEVER pay for this lunacy." Since being confirmed as Pentagon chief, Hegseth has embraced efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives, particularly those applying to transgender troops. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court gave the green light for the Trump administration to implement its ban on transgender troops in the military, allowing the Defense Department to discharge thousands of current transgender troops and deny new recruits as legal challenges against the move continue to play out in court. A memo released last week revealed that Hegseth issued instructions to begin kicking out transgender troops who do not voluntarily leave by June 6. Trump had signed an executive order in January shortly after returning to the White House that reversed a Biden administration policy that had allowed transgender troops to serve. Officials have said there are 4,240 U.S. active-duty and National Guard transgender troops, although some transgender rights advocates say the number may be even higher. Reuters contributed to this article source: Pentagon stopping gender transition treatment for transgender troops
